Nicoya Canton

The canton extends across 1,333 square kilometers of varied terrain, from mountainous regions to coastal areas, containing seven distinct districts including Nicoya and Sámara.

Spanish colonizers established Nicoya as a major transshipment point between Nicaragua and Panama, transforming it from the largest indigenous chiefdom on Costa Rica's Pacific coast.

The canton maintains strong ties to both colonial and indigenous heritage through its architecture, festivals, and traditional practices that reflect centuries of cultural integration.

The municipality serves as a central hub for the Nicoya Peninsula, providing essential services, banks, markets, and connections to major transportation routes through National Route 21.

The area holds designation as a Blue Zone, recognized for its population's extended life expectancy, with residents regularly reaching ages beyond 90 years.

Location: Guanacaste Province

Capital city: Nicoya

Elevation above the sea: 205 m

Shares border with: Santa Cruz Canton, Bagaces Canton, Cañas Canton, Nandayure Canton, Hojancha Canton

Website: https://nicoya.go.cr

GPS coordinates: 10.20000,-85.43250

Latest update: March 17, 2025 04:52